A Coloured Canvas: Lives, Loves and losses in the Artistic Heart of Regency England

Corille Fraser

Apr 2018 · Corille Fraser

About this ebook

The novel is based on the life of the 18th/ 19th century portraitist, Sir Thomas Lawrence from his beginnings as a child prodigy in his family's inn through to his election as President of the Royal Academy, knighthood and death aged 60. Though the focus is on his long attachment with the actress Sarah Siddons and her daughters, the novel is set in the artistic and theatrical worlds of Regency Bath and London and is interspersed with profiles and anecdotes of Lawrence's family, portrait subjects and personal friends.

About the author

Author of 'Come to Dazzle, Sarah Bernhardt's 1891 Tour of Australia'. Co-author of 'With Abundant Pride', a history of Canberra Repertory's Music Hall. Former theatre director, former Public Servant. Though now resident in Australia and of Australian citizenship, I am of Scottish birth and

education with an Arts degree in Modern Languages and History from Glasgow University. I also hold a Masters degree in Australian Studies from the University of New England in New South Wales. My thesis was based on the visit of Sarah Bernhardt to Australia in 1891. My book on the same subject, titled Come to Dazzle, was subsequently published by Currency Press and the National Library of Australia. 

I emigrated from the UK to Australia when my husband was ‘head hunted’ by the Australian Public Service. I also joined the APS but my major interest for many years has been in theatre. I was  President of Canberra Repertory Theatre, director and actor with several companies and, briefly an independent producer. My book ''Come to Dazzle' about the actress Sarah Bernhardt's 1891 tour of Australia was published by the National Library and Currency Press. I am co-author of 'With Abundant Pride', a history of Canberra Repertory's Music Hall.